Old style rudder adjustment?

Short of buying a new style rudder, is there a set of instructions for adjusting & lubing the kick up mechanism on the 18? I've broken two blades at the rudderhead & would like to avoid it in the future.

Dan

_________________
Dan St. Gean
'82 H 18
'96 H Wave

Back corner failure of a rudder is usually related to steering hard when in shallow water. Not because cams are not working.

Set main and jib tensions to reduce loads on the rudders when launching and landing. More main sheet tension rounds the boat up. Less main and more jib rounds the boat down. You can sail off the beach without steering the rudders.

For the old metal cam system. Lubricate the cam area where the upper arm pin locks in. Be sure the pin can rotate freely. File off any indentation on the casting where the pin rests when sailing. Beaching causes a small ding / depression in the aluminum and can hold the pin from rolling up and out of the cam.

Raise the rudders before the hit bottom if possible. You can easily break the actual casting... then you would have to spend some additional $ since the old castings are no longer available.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I suggest doing a search, this has been discussed a lot already.

My personal method for making the old system work (I have this system on my beach boat):
- Carefully apply a light film of grease to the roll pin and cam (hook) contact surfaces only. I use basic automotive bearing grease.

- Loosen the cam spring so that the upper tiller arm just barely clicks in when the rudders are down. Should be able to easily lift the upper arm out of the lower casting.

- Use bungee cord wrapped around the rudder/rudder pin to provide additional hold-down force.

Also, you should verify that the rudder kick up properly on land (boat on trailer or beach wheels). Lock the rudder down and then, using the palm of your hand, bump the leading edge of the rudder about 6" up from the tip. It should pop free.

sm

I have the old style rudders and am keen to buy new generation stocks. The old ones have been rewelded too many times.

Any ideas of what costs I can expect and where to buy.

Thanks
Richard

_________________
Richard Stephens

We have a kit for that in our catalog.

60331010 RUDDER CONV KIT H18 BLACK

$649.00 (USD - 7/2011)

Any Hobie dealer: http://www.hobiecat.com/support/dealers/search/

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)